Ryanair claims to be the "world's favourite airline"
Much maligned air carrier Ryanair, whose PR function has been described as the “worst job in PR”, has claimed to be the “world’s favourite airline”, the strapline formerly adopted by flag carrier British Airways, as it was revealed that it had carried 80 million international passengers last year, almost 30 million more than any other airline.
The airline flew 80 million passengers
The figures were released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and were described by a Ryanair spokesman as affirming the brand as “the world's favourite airline".
"Even the combined traffic of EasyJet and BA is still less than Ryanair's total, confirming that passengers can't get enough of Ryanair's guaranteed lowest fares, no fuel surcharges and number one customer service," the spokesman said.
The second biggest carrier was Lufthansa, with 50.8 million international passengers last year, . easyJet and British Airways flew 44.6 million and 31.3 million passengers respectively.
Last year Ryanair drew adverse publicity over flight safety concerns when two flights made emergency landings as a result of running with almost their minimum level of fuel.
The Irish Aviation Authority ruled that the aircraft were carrying 'sufficient fuel' when they took off.